January 9
North Shore Community College (NSCC) has announced the appointment of Dr. Christian Bednar as Provost/Chief Academic Officer.
His appointment follows a nationwide search from which the college’s search firm RH Perry produced a pool of over 70 exceptional applicants.
In his new role, Dr. Bednar will provide leadership and direction to Student and Academic Success, which is the integration of the former Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Divisions.
Dr. Bednar brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to academic excellence. He has been an integral part of NSCC since 2007 as adjunct and then full-time faculty member, Assistant Dean, Dean, and in the last nine months, the Interim Assistant Provost/CAO.
“Dr. Bednar has consistently demonstrated his leadership qualities through his involvement in various initiatives and his contributions to our academic community,” said NSCC President William Heineman. “I am confident that he will lead us to success for NSCC’s students and mission.”
Dr. Bednar earned a B.A. in English from Saint Anselm College, a M.A.T. in English from Boston University and a M.A. in English from UMass Boston. In 2021, he completed his Ph.D. at UMass Boston with his dissertation, Navigating Whiteness: A Critical Discourse Analysis of White Community College Faculty, White Identity, and the Discursive Positioning of Students of Color. He is especially interested in the application of critical studies to community college structures, policies, and practices. Given the persistent equity gaps in academic outcomes for students of color at NSCC, this background will be particularly important to Dr. Bednar as he leads the work to eliminate those gaps.
“I am excited to be working closely with a team of colleagues and friends to advance the overall strategic objectives of NSCC broadly and as a Hispanic Serving Institution in particular,” said Dr. Bednar.
Dr. Bednar resides in Salem with his wife, Jennifer, and three children: Annie, Jack, and Tyler. He and his family love sports (a bit too much), music, Halloween, and spending time with friends.